Medical Marijuana Delivery Methods

The following are general guidelines. Each individual patient will respond differently to dosing methods. A general rule is to start with a smaller dose until you are comfortable with the level necessary to achieve the desired effect. You must take into consideration the length of time to feel full effects. With smoking or vaporizing, the onset is almost immediate and therefore dosage is easy to self regulate. Other methods like tinctures or edibles, the effects can take up to 90 minutes. When choosing a method with a longer onset, it is important yet sometimes difficult to know exactly how much you are consuming. Lab tested medication is highly recommended for this very reason. We recommend that you keep a journal to help you find your ideal dosing method and start low, especially when trying something new.

Smoking

A fast and effective method, smoking ANYTHING raises health concerns. Still, recent research indicates that smoking cannabis is far less dangerous than cigarette smoking. The medicinal effect will be fully felt in a very short time, usually less than five minutes, but some strains could take longer. It’s also inexpensive. This delivery method is good for those needing fast relief or those who medicate less frequently.

Vaporization

Vaporization is a technique for avoiding irritating respiratory toxins in marijuana smoke by heating cannabis to a temperature where the psychoactive ingredients evaporate without causing combustion. Cannabis vaporizers are designed to let users inhale active cannabinoids while avoiding harmful smoke toxins. They do so by heating cannabis to a temperature of 180 – 200° C (356° – 392° F), just below the point of combustion where smoke is produced. At this point, THC and other medically active cannabinoids are emitted with little or none of the carcinogenic tars and noxious gases found in smoke. Many medical marijuana patients who find smoked marijuana highly irritating report effective relief inhaling through vaporizers.

Edibles

Edibles are an extraction of cannabis to butter, oil or syrup. Edibles are ingested and are found to be most effective on an empty stomach. Edibles are typically baked goods or candy like brownies, cookies, bread, chocolate, hard candies, etc. For those with strict diets, healthier options can be prepared and are only limited by the cooks creativity.

Tinctures

Tinctures are an extraction of cannabis, commonly vegetable glycerin or alcohol. A tincture provides a non-smoking alternative to medicating. Glycerin tinctures are sweet and may be cooked or cold pressed. Alcohol tinctures my burn under the tongue but can also be cooked or diluted for easier consumption. Typically tinctures allow the patient to remain high-functioning with pain relieving benefits. Patient’s often compliment medicinal effects with smoking but is not necessary to gain benefits. Dosing is sub-lingual and can be adjusted easily. Tincture can also be added to liquids for ingestion, i.e. tea or coffee.

Capsules

Capsules provide a discreet, non-smoking alternative to medicating. Green capsules are good for inducing sleep and hunger offering a medium potency and are good for those new to medicating with medical marijuana. Bubble kief capsules often allow the patient to remain high functioning while aiding in pain relief offering a strong potency.

Topical

Topical preparations are made through extracting cannabis into handmade creations (lotions, bath salts, lip balms, soap, etc). Topical delivery can be effective for arthritis, muscle spasms, rashes, etc. Recent studies have shown topical applications to be as or more effective than oral delivery methods for some conditions. The majority of patients who use topical preparations do not feel the internal medicating effects that come with smoking or other oral preparations often topical preparations are only felt in healing the skin and muscles.